Four 'Shield of the Homeland' Soldiers Killed in Armed Attack East of Hadhramaut

At least four soldiers from the "Shield of the Homeland" forces were killed and others injured in an armed attack on Friday evening that targeted a military unit inside a restaurant in the Rumaah district of Hadhramaut Governorate in eastern Yemen.

Local and military sources reported that armed individuals attacked members of the unit, which belongs to the Fourth Brigade, while they were having dinner in the Rumaah district market. The attack resulted in the death of at least four soldiers and the injury of several others, with initial figures potentially rising as casualty counts continue.

According to preliminary information, among the deceased was the son of the Chief of Staff of the Fourth Brigade, known as "Al-Basht Al-Subaihi," along with three other soldiers. The injured were transported to health centers for treatment.

Local sources linked the attack to tribal tensions that followed an incident last week, during which a member of the Nof Dahm tribe was killed in an altercation with members of a security checkpoint belonging to the Fourth Brigade. He was accused of throwing a hand grenade while attempting to be apprehended, leading to his pursuit and death. This event escalated the state of tension in the region.

The motive behind the attack could not be independently verified. Neither the "Shield of the Homeland" forces nor the local authorities in Hadhramaut have issued an official statement clarifying the circumstances or identifying the perpetrators. No group has claimed responsibility for the operation to date.

The Rumaah district is situated on the vital road connecting Hadhramaut and Marib Governorates and experiences frequent security and military presence due to its desert location. Some eastern regions of Yemen occasionally witness attacks targeting military and security formations amid ongoing security challenges facing the country.